What is a YouTube Channel ID?

A YouTube Channel ID is a unique 24-character identifier starting with 'UC'. Unlike handles or usernames, this ID is permanent and never changes, even if the channel is renamed.

Why do I need a Channel ID?

You need the internal Channel ID for using the YouTube Data API, setting up third-party integrations, using certain analytics tools, or even for some browser extensions.

Can I find the ID of any channel?

Yes, as long as the channel is public, you can find its ID using this tool by pasting its URL (e.g., youtube.com/@username or youtube.com/c/customname).

Is the Channel ID the same as the username?

No. A username or handle (like @MrBeast) is a human-readable identifier. The Channel ID (like UCX6OQ3DkcsbYNE6H8uQQuVA) is the machine-readable identifier used in the background.

YouTube Channel ID Finder — Extract UC ID From Any URL

YouTube Channel ID Finder

Easily extract the permanent internal YouTube Channel ID from any channel URL, handle, or custom username. Just paste the link and get the 'UC...' ID instantly.

Why the 'UC...' Channel ID is important

While handles like @creators are great for branding, they aren't stable enough for technical work. YouTube allows creators to change their handles and custom URLs, but the underlying Channel ID—that long string starting with UC—remains the same for the entire life of the channel.

When to use a Channel ID Finder

API Integrations: If you are building an app that uses the YouTube Data API, most endpoints require the channelId rather than the handle.
Analytics Tools: Many deep-dive analytics platforms use the internal ID to track performance across rebrands.
Comment Moderation: Some moderation bots use Channel IDs to whitelist or blacklist users reliably.
Feed Subscription: If you need to find a channel's RSS feed, you usually need the ID to construct the URL.

How to find your own Channel ID

You can find your own ID in your YouTube Studio settings, but it's often faster to just copy your channel's public URL and paste it into our tool. We scan the page's metadata to locate the canonical UC... identifier for you.

Compatible URL Formats

Our tool works with all modern YouTube URL structures:

youtube.com/@username (Handles)
youtube.com/c/customname (Legacy Custom URLs)
youtube.com/user/username (Legacy User URLs)
youtube.com/channel/UC... (Direct ID URLs)

Once you have your channel ID, you might want to optimize your video CTR using our Title Generator or check how your branding looks in the Channel Banner Size Guide.

Channel ID FAQ

What is a YouTube Channel ID?: A YouTube Channel ID is a unique 24-character identifier starting with 'UC'. Unlike handles or usernames, this ID is permanent and never changes, even if the channel is renamed.
Why do I need a Channel ID?: You need the internal Channel ID for using the YouTube Data API, setting up third-party integrations, using certain analytics tools, or even for some browser extensions.
Can I find the ID of any channel?: Yes, as long as the channel is public, you can find its ID using this tool by pasting its URL (e.g., youtube.com/@username or youtube.com/c/customname).
Is the Channel ID the same as the username?: No. A username or handle (like @MrBeast) is a human-readable identifier. The Channel ID (like UCX6OQ3DkcsbYNE6H8uQQuVA) is the machine-readable identifier used in the background.